Moderators lazarus Posted November 11, 2009 Moderators Posted November 11, 2009 The problem with the death penalty is that it is disproportionally used on the disadvantaged in society. There is still a high probability that the innocent have been and will be executed. I don't believe that this has occurred in Mohammed's case however even though i'm against the death penalty. Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein
GreatLakesGramma Posted November 11, 2009 Posted November 11, 2009 God commanded in Genesis that whoever shed man's blood should be put to death, whether man or animal. And I believe somewhere in the Old Testament, it says that because sentence against wickedness is not executed, the land is filled with blood (or violence). (I can look it up if someone wants the exact quote. Elsewhere, I have read the words of a philosopher who said that the executioner is necessary for society to exist. Without him, anarchy reigns. This is the consequence of man's sinful condition. Without God in one's life, only the fear of consequences restrains us. In most cases, it's what people will think of us that keeps us in line. But in those inclined to violence, the consequences need to be more severe. If one looks back to where in the Old Testament God gave the eye for an eye principle, we can see that it was a "let the punishment fit the crime" rule, that no one should be punished more than the crime deserved, such as putting one to death for stealing a loaf of bread. But by Jesus' time, people had twisted it to mean that if someone insulted them, they were to take revenge. This is why Jesus put that rule aside. Not because God had changed, but because they had corrupted it, just as they did with the Sabbath. I believe in the death penalty, but I believe it should be used with great care. Ideally, I believe it should be used only when there is no doubt whatsoever that the person has indeed committed the crime, and when the criminal shows no remorse. Especially when someone confesses, and says they aren't sorry, and that if they ever go free they'll do it again. But I would be very hesitant to apply it in other cases, especially when the convicted person continues to insist that he/she is innocent. A case like that was in the news in Indiana back when we lived there, in 1981. There was a big controversy over the death penalty then. A young man name Steven Judy had murdered a young mother name Terry Chastain. He had flagged down her car, then raped and killed her, in front of her small children. He freely confessed, said that he was not sorry for what he had done to her, only that he was sorry about the children - if he had known she had children with her he wouldn't have stopped HER - and if he ever went free, he would do it again. He even spoke directly to men in the jury and said it could be your wife, or your daughter. And he was very matter-of-fact about it, showed no emotion at all. That was what made me really think about the death penalty for the first time, and decide what I believed about it. Quote Catherine God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26. "To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." -- C. S. Lewis
Members phkrause Posted November 12, 2009 Members Posted November 12, 2009 Good thoughts Joanne pk Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.